I had to attend to it all but one day owing that Alex was a[bsent] just owing to his being in bad state from drink. I cannot stand it any longer for I have done all I could but I find it is taken no nottice of. Poor man even his sister has done all she could but to no purpose. I do not know what this year may bring in. He may change. The beginning of it was very bad. I now plainly see that if I do not try and make some arangement with you before you leave the country that I have nothing to depend on. If I cannot rent from you I must try some other one but I certainly would rather stay here and do my best to improve your property with as much economy as possible. Rent me the half of your sheep and land, half the horse & cattle. Gave Alex the other. Let me pay half of all charges, find my own men and let him do the same. Then you will find the working man out and you will find your property improved and it may gave him a stimulus to go ahead and attend to his busness and you will no what you are doing then. If I did not duly pay my rent treat me as any other tennant, turn me off but the rent I do not dispair of paying, besides making a living in an independent way. I always had this proposal in view to see if you would approve of it. I now must end with the compliments of the season from the ladies to yourself, Douglas and the good old Mr Strang. I remain your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean